A cDNA, from Agrotis ipsilon, that encodes the pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) and other FXPRL peptides

A cDNA encoding the prohormone of the pheromone biosynthesis activating neu ropeptide (PBAN) in the moth Agrotis ipsilon was isolated. The cDNA contain s 834 nucleotides, coding for a 193-amino acid protein that exhibits 89% id entity with PBAN prohormones of other moths. The prohormone contains five p otential peptides belonging to the FXPRL family. The peptide corresponding to the Bombyx mori diapause hormone exhibits an extra residue, and the C-te rminal leucine is replaced by an isoleucine, introducing a new type of vari ability in this family of peptides. Northern blot analysis revealed express ion in suboesophagal ganglion complexes. Constitutive heterologous expressi on of Agi-PBAN cDNA in yeast, using three different antibodies, did not pro duce PBAN-immunoreactive material. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc. All right s reserved.